Monogram unit



May 14, 1940.- M. cx-:ERNOW MONOGRAM UNI T Filed Aug. 4, 1938 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented May 14, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I MONOGRAM UNIT Michael Chernow, Brooklyn, N. Y. p

Application August 4, 1938, Serial No. 223,029

Z Claims.

My present invention relates to monogram more especially for attachment to wallets, cigarette cases, cameras, luggage, purses and other articles for personal use.

yAn object of the invention is to provide an attractive device of the above type, which shall be simpleand inexpensive in construction and which admits of being readily made up by the salesperson, without the exercise of any great skill, to complete and aix in position upon the article of manufacture, the unit with initials selected by the purchaser.

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig, 1 is a fragmentary View of a wallet showing my unit in position thereon,

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on a larger scale, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l,

Fig. 3 is a similar transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a plan rear View of the assembled de- V108.,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the carrying frame of the device,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the initials of the device,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail View taken on line 'I-l of Fig. 4, and

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are perspective views showing the successive steps in the mounting and assembly of the unit.

Referring now to the drawing, the unit in general comprises a stamped carrying frame I of sheet metal, illustratively generally rectangular in conformation, but optionally round, oval, square, octagonal or other ornamental shape. The frame presents a rear face I I and desirably has oblique or bevelled walls I2, defining a front face with a rectangular opening of reduced dimensions. The front of the carrying frame presents a pair of parallel upper and lower ledges I3 and I4 respectively, which support the ends of initial units I5, such as shown in Fig. 6. To retain such units against lateral shifting, the ledges I3 and I4 are countersunk with respect to the end beams I6 of the frame, thereby presenting shoulders I'I for the outer edges of the extreme initials and the lengths of ledges I3 and I4 are interrupted by thin upstanding transverse positioning ribs I8 for the intervening initial edges.

The initial units I may each comprise a metal block with a flat rear face I9, and desirably, for ornamental purposes, with a convex front face 2U, and with upper and lower reduced extension (Cl. L10m-140) lugs 2| and 22. The initials bridge across the two ledges I 3 and I4 with the extension lugs resting upon the respective ledges as shown in Fig. 9. f

The cover frame 23 is preferably a shell corresponding'in shape to that of the carrying frame. In the embodiment shown it is a rectangular shell with ornamental finished bevelled edges 24 adapted completely to cover and enclose the otherwise exposed face of the carrying frame, the two frames to be resiliently snapped together to complete the assembly of a casing in which the initial units are clamped in place between the frames thereof. In the illustrative construction shown, the edge 25 of the cover frame is substantially flush with the rear` face I I of the carrying frame. 'I'he cover frame is preferably equipped at its perimeter, desirably at each end thereof with a pair of resilient lugs 26 protruding from its edge and adapted in assembly of the device to snap under the corresponding portions of the rear face of the carrying frame.

While the unit as thus assembled might be aflixed to the article as by cementing, soldering or the like, the illustrative embodiment shown involves a pair of integral prongs 2l protruding outward from the middle of ends of the carrying frame and between the lugs 26 of the cover frame. These tangs, as best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 8 penetrate the leather or other fabric of the device to which the unit is shown applied and are bent thereunder for attachment in place.

For convenience of application and assembly, it is preferred rst to attach the carrying frame as shown in Fig. 8, to the leather or other fabric 28, then to position the initials I5 as illustrated in Fig. 9, and finally to snap the cover plate 23 in place, in which latter operation, the lugs 26 resiliently clasp the carrying frame.

In the mounted, assembled unit, the initials are held by shoulders I'I and ribs I8 against lateral displacement, and the frames securely clamp them to prevent tilting or shifting thereof forward or backward. The security of attachment of the device to the wallet or other article is enhanced by the fact that lugs 26 on the cover frame press against the front face thereof, and the prongs 2'I therebetween on the carrying frame press against the rear face thereof, and thus securely clamp the fabric therebetween.

Thus, an inexpensive but attractive unit is provided, which may be made up expeditiously with selected initials, and which may be readily disassembled for replacing the initials with other emblems or initials, as desired.

While the device has a preferred application to Wallets, purses, bags or the like, it will be understood that it is also useful as a finding in connection with buckles, belts, hats, shoes or other articles for wear or for personal use.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and method and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A monogram unit comprising a rectangular carrying frame having countersunk upper and lower bars and spaced upstanding transverse ribs transversely of said bars, thereby affording stop conformations for the lateral edges of initial pieces, initial pieces bridging across said bars and having end conformations resting thereon and positioned against lateral displacement by said stop conformations, a cover fram-e completely concealing the forward face of the carrying frame, the thickness of the initial units protruding above said end conformations and presenting shoulders respectively at the tops and bottoms thereof, resilient lugs on the cover frame for closure engagement with said carrying frame, with the end conformations of the initial pieces clamped in place therebetween and with said shoulders engaging the inner edges of said cover frame, the carrying frame having downwardly turned median prongs adapted for aixing the latter to an article of manufacture.

2. A monogram unit comprising a rectangular carrying frame having countersunk upper and lower bars and spaced upstanding transverse ribs transversely of said bars, thereby affording stop conformations for the lateral edges of initial pieces, initial pieces bridging across said bars and having end conformations resting thereon and positioned against lateral displacement by said stop conformations, a cover frame completely concealing the forward face of the carrying frame, the thickness of the initial units protruding above said end coniormations and presenting shoulders respectively at the tops and bottoms thereof, and resilient lugs on the cover frame for closure engagement with said carrying frame, with the end conformations of the initial pieces clamped in place therebetween and With said shoulders engaging the inner edges of said cover frame.

MICHAEL CHERNOW. 

